Work Time

Is it work if it doesn't feel like work?

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. - Luke 13:10-17

Sometimes there are things that come up on your day off and you know they will hound you until you address them.  

I may want to take care of them quickly so I can get back to enjoying my time off for whatever else I was planning, so I tackle them and put them behind me.

Those things I consider work.  

But there are other things that aren't like work at all, even though they may look like work to other people.

Jesus tried to point out the difference using the example of the donkey needing water.  You don't take a day off when it comes to providing basic necessities, do you?

I guess he could have said to the woman, come back tomorrow and I will cure you then.  I know I have been tempted when I receive a call on the weekend that someone needs food.

We are closed now.  Can I get it to you on Monday?

But isn't it better to address the issue at the time rather than put it off?

I guess the lesson for all of us is one of priorities.  When someone needs our help, how should we respond?

If we want to follow Jesus, we do as he did.

More to come...